Updated
Overview
India has 67 times the population of Sri Lanka: 1.46 billion people against 21.76 million (2025).
India's economy is 36 times the size of Sri Lanka's, at $3.96T versus $108.83B.
Per person, Sri Lanka is the wealthier of the two: $5,002 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Sri Lanka | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $108.83B | 2025 | $3.91T / $98.96B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $5,002 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 5.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: -4.8% | 2025 | 5.0% / -0.4% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 4.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 27 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $255 | $144 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $55 | $38 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $5.69 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 21.76 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 22.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | -0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 33.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 77.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 20% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 70% | 55% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 65,610 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 331.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 21 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 0.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 317,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
India is growing faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 5.0%.
India runs the hotter price environment: 2.4% inflation versus -4.8%.
Average monthly earnings favour India: $255 against $144 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 33.3 years.
Life expectancy is 5.4 years longer in Sri Lanka (77.7 vs 72.2).
India is considerably more urbanized: 36% of people live in cities, against 20%.
Internet adoption is higher in India (70% vs 55% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 50 times the size of Sri Lanka: 3,287,590 km² versus 65,610 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
India spends 65 times as much on defence as Sri Lanka: $86.13B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.4%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 317,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Sri Lanka?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Sri Lanka covers 65,610 km², so India is 50 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Sri Lanka?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 21.76 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Sri Lanka?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sri Lanka is richer: $5,002 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $108.83B for Sri Lanka.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Sri Lanka?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).